National University (NU) vs Cornell
National University and Cornell University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their unique offerings and student experiences. National University, a private, non-profit university, boasts an open admissions policy, welcoming students from all backgrounds. In contrast, Cornell University, an Ivy League institution, maintains a highly selective admissions process, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs, National University is renowned for its flexible learning options, including online and evening classes, catering to working professionals and non-traditional students. Cornell University, on the other hand, is known for its rigorous academic standards and world-class research facilities, attracting students seeking a traditional residential college experience. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover further distinctions between these two exceptional universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
|
![]() Cornell University |
![]() National University |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Ithaca, New York | La Jolla, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Non Traditional |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 100.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 8.7% | 54.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
|
|
SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 154 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 84 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 38 |
Yield rate | 63.5% | 45.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price | $80,287 | $36,459 |
Average net price | $24,262 | $9,966 |
Tuition | $60,286 | $13,320 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,962
Meal plan:
$6,434
|
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $52,674 |
100.0%
Average amount $8,610 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,924 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
|
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
7,648
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
9,487
Men 28.7% Women 71.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 64.3% | N/A |
International students | 24.4% | 0.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | N/A |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 94.1% | 46.7% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | N/A |
Transferred out | N/A | 43.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
|
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.








































































































































































































